A Montreal City Police Service (SPVM) officer did not participate in a pro-Palestinian protest, the Canadian law enforcement agency said in response to videos circulating online depicting an officer holding a lit firework.
Outrage erupted after a short clip proliferated in which the officer appeared to point a firework at the sky at last Wednesday’s anti-Israel protest in the city.
The SPVM said the officer had seized the item from a demonstrator, but it had already been ignited.
“For safety reasons, he had to let it burn out by pointing it skyward,” the police explained.
The protester from whom the firework was seized was reportedly issued a $664 fine.
Le CIJA et la @FederationCJA ont pu échanger avec le @SPVM suite à la diffusion d'une vidéo montrant un policier tenant un feu d'artifice lors d'une manifestation pro-Hamas hier soir au centre-ville de #Montréal. Le SPVM nous a confirmé que le policier avait saisi l'engin pour le… pic.twitter.com/M7hLY3xcme
— Le CIJA (@CIJAQC) January 16, 2025
“The SPVM reiterates that we are present and committed, in all neutrality, to protect the citizens of Montreal,” said the police force.
Jewish community responds
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and the Federation Combined Jewish Appeal said they had been in contact with the SPVM after the video went viral and indicated on social media on Thursday they had accepted the explanation.
Videos of the protest posted to TikTok showed protesters shooting off fireworks while waving Palestinian flags and chanting, “Long live the resistance of Gaza.”